Apple Introduces Pay Once & Play to Tackle Freemium Hostility

Apple has introduced a new Pay Once & Play category to the App Store so that customers can find games that don’t feature in-app purchases, à la freemium games. Games in the Pay Once & Play section, as the name suggests, require a one-time fee, with no future payments required to play.

“Enjoy hours of uninterrupted fun with complete experiences spanning the App Store’s most beloved genres,” an apple statement reads. “Packed with thrills and unforgettable moments, these powerhouse games belong in every collection.”

This follows a move by Apple last year to change the installation button for freemium games from “FREE” to “GET”, plus adding a label below reminding customers that the game will include in-app purchases.

Stricter regulation over app promotion and a recent lawsuit against Apple and Google over in-app purchase complaints has forced Apple to make its policy and labelling as transparent as possible.